Mike Baker

Additional air and missile defenses are being moved into place, including Patriot and THAAD systems designed to blunt any possible Iranian retaliation against U.S.

forces or regional partners.

U.S.

Central Command confirmed that an entire squadron of F-15 fighter jets has arrived in the Middle East.

These aircraft are workhorses of the U.S.

Air Force, capable of conducting air-to-air combat, deep strike missions, and precision attacks against hardened targets.

They also played a key role last year in intercepting Iranian drones during a large-scale attack against Israel, highlighting their importance in regional air defense as well as offensive operations.

All of this military movement is unfolding against a grim backdrop inside Iran.

Death toll estimates from the regime's crackdown on protesters vary widely, but U.S.

officials now suggest the true number may be far higher than initially reported and more than the regime in Tehran is willing to admit.

And yes, that is quite the statement of the obvious.

While early figures place the death toll in the low thousands, American officials say assessments from international organizations point to numbers that could reach as high as 18,000.

The administration has framed its pressure on Tehran, both military and economic, as a response to that violence.

President Trump has publicly argued that U.S.

warnings have already had an effect, pointing to reports that Iran backed away from plans to carry out mass executions after Washington signaled possible consequence

responses.

Still, major questions remain about what military action could realistically achieve.

Former military officials and analysts caution that air power, just air power, while overwhelming, does not guarantee regime collapse.

A sustained campaign would likely require weeks or months of operations and could invite significant Iranian retaliation across the region, from missile strikes to attacks by proxy forces targeting U.S.

personnel and allies.